Cryptic species in the genus Phylloscopus (Old World leaf warblers)

In almost all ecological and evolutionary research, it is important to assess the number of species under study. Cryptic species, which are morphologically similar, present a special problem because they need to be identified through studies of behavioural or genetic variation. Here we review the important factors in the recent discovery of three species and elevation of nine previously known taxa to species status within the genus Phylloscopus (Old World leaf‐warblers) and we examine the case of three morphologically similar taxa (inornatus, humei and mandellii) that until recently were considered to be members of the single species Phylloscopus inornatus. We have identified several locations at which humei and inornatus coexist at high density, and the results of playback experiments, observations of interactions, and spectrogram analysis of vocalizations at these sites all indicate that there are significant behavioural differences and a lack of recognition between humei and inornatus. Estimated relationships within the species complex based on mitochondrial control region DNA sequences show that there is little variation within the geographic ranges of either humei or inornatus compared with the deep split between the two taxa. These observations support the division of humei and inornatus into separate species. The third taxon, mandellii, which is geographically separated from both humei and inornatus, is behaviourally and genetically more similar to humei. Under the biological species concept, it is difficult to determine the species status of allopatric taxa. Alternative species concepts, such as the phylogenetic and recognition concepts, are more easily applied to allopatric taxa but lead to differing conclusions over whether mandellii and humei are separate species. This confusion arises from the fact that the two taxa are in an early stage of allopatric divergence. The review of other recently designated species reveals that song divergence is of primary importance in their designation and that song variation, playback experiments and genetic analysis lead to similar conclusions regarding species status.     

Development of 22 new microsatellite loci for fishers (Martes pennanti) with variability results from across their range

We developed 22 new microsatellite loci for the fisher (Martes pennanti), a North American mesocarnivore. The loci were developed with samples from the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, and were screened with samples from this population and four other populations. We observed a range of six to 21 polymorphic loci per population, with the Sierra Nevada population exhibiting markedly lower levels of variation compared to the other four.     

Postcranial stem tetrapod remains from the Devonian of Scat Craig, Morayshire, Scotland

The postcranial stem tetrapod remains from Scat Craig include a neural arch, humerus, tibia, femur, and incomplete pectoral girdles and ilia. These elements are all large or very large compared with the corresponding bones of other stem tetrapods. They correlate well in size with the proportions of Elginerpeton , the known stem tetrapod from Scat Craig, and probably belong to this genus. The neural arch has weak zygapophyses, and the ilia and shoulder girdles resemble those of Ichthyostega . The femur is strongly twisted, with the intercondylar fossa facing anteroventrally, so the hind limb probably functioned as a paddle. The tibia is broad, as in Acanthostega and Ichthyostega . The humerus is approximately intermediate in shape between those of osteolepiforms and later stem tetrapods, but seems to have a ventral radial facet like Ichthyostega . Overall, the postcranial bones combine apparent synapomorphies with Ichthyostega and characters which are uniquely primitive among stemgroup tetrapods. This character combination is incongruent. A recently discovered postorbital bone from the site is, strictly speaking, indeterminable but may belong to Elginerpeton ; it broadly resembles the postorbitals of Ichthyostega and Acanthostega , and demonstrates that the typical stem tetrapod facial morphology had evolved before the end of the Frasnian.     

Systematic relationships of the palaeogene family Presbyornithidae (Aves: Anseriformes)

The early Tertiary (Paleocene and Eocene) family Presbyornithidae is one of the most completely known group of fossil birds. Essentially all parts of the skeleton are represented in the fossil record, allowing a thorough analysis of the phylogenetic position of the family. Forty-two families of nonpasserine birds representing the orders Ciconiiformes, Anseriformes, Galliformes, Gruiformes and Charadriiformes, were included in a cladistic analysis of 71 skeletal characters. The previously suggested anseriform affinity of the Presbyornithidae was confirmed. Furthermore, the family proved to be closer to the Anatidae than to the Anhimidae or Anseranatidae. The many postcranial similarities with certain charadriiform birds as the Burhinidae, obviously are plesiomorphies. By this observation, a better undestanding of character evolution in nonpasserine skeletal morphology is gained. The often suggested close relationship of anseriform and galliform birds is not confirmed by osteology. Instead, the Anseriformes and the Phoenicopteridae form a monophyletic clade that is the sister to the remaining ciconiiform birds. This result renders the Ciconiiformes sensu Wetmore (1960) polyphyletic.     

The nemerteans (Nemertea) of Rottnest Island, Western Australia

Seventeen species of marine nemerteans are reported from Rottnest Island, Western Australia. Eight new species and four new genera are described and illustrated; these are the heteronemerteans Kohnia rottnestensis gen. et sp. n., Lineus bioculatus sp. n., Lineus gilviceps sp. n., Micrura callima sp. n. and Uricholemma nigricans gen. et sp. n., and the monostiliferous hoplonemerteans Aenigmanemertes norenburgi gen. et spn. n., Crybelonemertes arenicolus gen. et sp. n. and Tetrastemma tristibruna sp. n. A key for the field identification of the nemerteans of Rottnest Island is provided.     

Production of cloned cDNA from a Swedish barley yellow dwarf virus isolate

A cDNA library was produced from the RNA of a Swedish MAV-like isolate of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). The procedure involved random priming and the ds cDNA was cloned into the EcoRl site of the plasmid pUC19. Among the clones obtained some hybridised specifically with MAV-like isolates whereas others also hybridised with PAV-like isolates. Only very weak hybridisation was observed with an RPV-like isolate. An Australian cDNA clone, reported to be PAV-specific (pBY82, Waterhouse, Gerlach & Miller, 1986), hybridised with Swedish MAV-like but not with PAV-like isolates. Probes prepared from the clones detected virus in plant extracts by dot-blot hybridisation with sensitivity greater than that of ELISA. Virus was also readily detected in extracts of viruliferous aphids.     

A new species of Phylloscopus warbler from Hainan Island, China

Phylloscopus hainanus is a distinctive new species in the family Sylviidae. The species is endemic to Hainan Island, China, where it is restricted to tropical forest in mountains above 600 m. The most distinctive plumage features are the rather deep yellow underparts and the mainly white outer rectrices.     

Multiphasic Uptake of Sulfate by Barley Roots I. Effects of Analogues, Phosphate, and pH

For sulfate uptake by barley roots, competition studies reveal that uptake and phase transitions are caused by interaction of ions with separate sites on or in the plasmalemma. Uptake is competitively, and unequally, inhibited by sulfate analogues but not by other divalent anions. In contrast, divalent phosphate and di- and trivalent pyrophosphate are equally effective in causing transitions. Phosphate is taken up mainly or entirely as H₂PO₄^? by a similar but separate multiphasic mechanism. At pH 8, sulfate uptake is mediated by fewer phases than at low and intermediate pH.     

Insulin and Amino-acid Regulation of Polysomes in Perfused,Diabetic Rat Liver

IN normal mammalian liver, protein synthesis and concomitant polyribosome assembly are controlled by amino-acids^1–4. A similar control may be exerted by insulin in liver⁵ and muscle⁶. Both the effect of amino-acids on liver and that of insulin on muscle can be demonstrated with isolated, perfused tissue^4,7, but the interrelationship between these agents has not been clarified either in liver or in muscle. We have used perfused livers from diabetic rats to establish whether amino-acids and insulin promote polysomal assembly independently or in concert.     

Complete record of Furongian polymerid trilobites and agnostoids of Scandinavia – a biostratigraphical scheme

Terfelt, F., Ahlberg, P. & Eriksson, M.E. 2011: Complete record of Furongian polymerid trilobites and agnostoids of Scandinavia – a biostratigraphical scheme. Lethaia, Vol. 44, pp. 8–14. So far, 112 polymerid trilobite species/subspecies and 13 agnostoid species/subspecies have been recorded from the Furongian (upper Cambrian) of Scandinavia. For the first time, their zonal occurrences are summarized in a biostratigraphical scheme serving as a practical synopsis for students of this interval in time. Ninety‐six of the recorded polymerid trilobite species/subspecies belong to the family Olenidae whereas the remaining 16 are distributed across eight other families. Levels of increased speciation and low diversity (including stratigraphical range gaps) are conspicuous and these may be correlated with recorded physical and chemical anomalies. □Agnostoids, biostratigraphy, Cambrian, Furongian, polymerids, Scandinavia, trilobites.